Peach tree named ‘UFSun’

ABSTRACT

‘UFSun’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree which has a winter chilling requirement of approximately 100 to 150 chill units (cu). The tree is large size, highly vigorous with a semi-spreading growth habit, and bears showy pink flowers. Glands are small and reniform in shape and isolated to the basal portions of leaves. Trees of ‘UFSun’ bear heavy annual crops of early season fruit which are medium size for its ripening season. Fruit have firm, yellow, non-melting flesh which is clingstone. Fruit are uniform, attractive, substantially symmetrical shape, and have an attractive 50 to 60% red skin with darker red stripes. The fruit ripens about 80 to 85 days from bloom, with ‘Flordaprince’, and in late April at Immokalee and Gainesville, Fla.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION PRUNUS PERSICA—‘UFSUN’. BACKGROUND OF THE NEWVARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach(Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) tree which is named ‘UFSun’ and, moreparticularly to a peach tree which produces good eating quality,clingstone, non-melting and yellow flesh fruit which are mature forfresh market in mid-April at Immokalee, and in late April inGainesville, Fla., and which are produced on a tree adapted to a mildwinter climate. Contrast is made to ‘Flordaprince’ (unpatented) peachtree, a standard variety, for reliable description. This new variety isa promising candidate for commercial success in that it retains fruitfirmness at the full flavor, tree ripe stage for 10 days on the tree.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

This peach tree (genotype) originated in a cultivated area of the fruitbreeding program at the University of Florida, located at Gainesville,Fla. The seed parent was ‘Fla. 90-50CN’ (unpatented), a non-meltingflesh nectarine [originated as an F2 of (Fla 84-18C ×Fla. 9-20C)] (bothunpatented peaches of complex origin). The pollen parent was ‘UFGold’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,315). ‘UFSun’ peach tree was selected in 1998,designated as Fla. 97-20C, propagated asexually in Gainsville, Fla. bybudding on ‘Flordaguard’ (unpatented) seedling rootstock, and tested atGainesville and Immokalee, Fla. Asexually propagated plants remain trueto the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruitwere transmitted. Trees of ‘UFSun’ bloom early at Gainesville and thecrop is often lost to spring frost, but it was determined at Immokaleeto have plant adaptation with unique fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘UFSun’ peach tree is a new and distinct variety that bears yellow,non-melting flesh fruit, and has a low chilling endodormancyrequirement. It blooms with ‘Flordaprince’ peach tree at Immokalee,bearing an attractive red over a deep yellow ground color. The estimatedchilling requirement is 100 to 150 chill units, the same as‘Flordaprince’.

The present invention resulting in ‘UFSun’ peach tree is characterizedby fruit of excellent flavor and eating quality. The trees are vigorous,productive and without alternate bearing. Trees attain in two years, aheight of three meters and a spread of two meters at Immokalee. Terminalgrowth of up to a meter annually is common on mature 4-year-old treeswith normal pruning to a vase shape. The first fruit ripen in mid-Aprilat Immokalee and in late April at Gainesville or about 80 days from fullbloom, which is about the same time as ‘Flordaprince’. The fruit areuniformly medium-large size for an early season peach. Ripe fruit haveabout 50% (with darker stripes) red skin. There is no red pigment in theflesh at the pit. The flower anthers are orange, a common characteristicof other standard peach and nectarine varieties.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph which shows a typicalspecimen of the fruit, leaf, and stem of the new variety as nearly trueas it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of thistype. The photograph shows an attractive shape and exterior colorationof six specimens of fruit above a ruler in a stem end view, a blossomend view, side views facing and perpendicular to the suture, and 2 fruitcut longitudinally showing the flesh with a clingstone pit in place.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘UFSun’ peach tree is high,due to its attractive red skin over a deep yellow ground color, largefruit of good flavor balance between sugar and acid, and exceptionalfirmness due to its non-melting flesh. The present botanical descriptionis that of the variety as grown on 4-year-old trees grown on‘Flordaguard’ rootstock under the ecological conditions prevailing atGainesville, Fla. Variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in climatic growing conditions, soils,fertilization, pruning, irrigation, and pest control are to be expected.Colors (except those in common terms) are described from “The PantoneBook of Color” published by H. N. Abrams, Inc., N.Y. 1990.

Tree:

Ploidy.—Diploid.

Size.—Trees are large when trained to an open vase form.

Vigor.—Vigorous, and must be summer and winter pruned to keep treeheight restricted and to keep center of vase open. Trees respondtypically to irrigation and fertilization. Tree growth of 5 to 7 feet inheight and 4 to 6 feet in width occurs in the first growing season inthe field. Annual growth on mature trees averages 2 to 4 feet in length.

Density.—Medium to dense in branching habit and requires pruning to openthe tree center which permits high sunlight entrance for enhancing fruitcolor and sugar.

Form.—Spreading, in contrast to upright for ‘Flordaprince’.

Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to typical north central Florida winters.Chill units during endodormancy is estimated at 100 to 150 cu.

Productivity.—Annual and regular without alternate bearing and must befruit thinned to avoid limb breakage and obtain largest fruit size.Trees annually set several times the number of fruit for a desired cropload.

Trunk:

Size.—Large trunk diameter attaining 14-16 cm diameter at a height of 30cm above ground at the end of 4 years growth.

Bark texture.—Medium smooth, but changes to medium rough as tree ages.

Bark color.—Variable with older bark considered mostly gray, Chinchilla(Pantone 17-1109).

Lenticels.—Numerous 28 per 4 square inches of surface area of trunk,large (4 to 8 mm length), perpendicular to the trunk with the centerbeing Puddy (Pantone 13-0711).

Branches:

Size.—Strong growth of scaffold branches. This is not distinctive of thevariety.

Texture.—Relatively smooth, medium amount of lenticels attaining sizefound on trunk and old scaffolds. Roughness increases with age.

Color.—New wood is light green, Tarragon (Pantone 15-0326) on theunderside with anthocyanin on the sunny upper surface, Pink Sand,(Pantone 15-1318); Two-year-old wood is more brown, Cedar Wood (Pantone17-1525).

Crotch angles.—Angles selected at 45 to 70 degrees in first year of treetraining. Natural angles are within the normal range of standardvarieties for a semi-spreading tree.

Leaves:

Size.—Medium; 18 to 20 cm length, including petiole; 3.5 to 3.8 cmwidth. Measurements were made on full size leaves of vigorous uprightshoots in summer growth.

Thickness.—Regular and average for many peach varieties. Not distinctiveof the variety.

Form.—Lanceolate.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Margin. —Serrulate, slightly undulate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Surface.—Upper, glabrous; Lower, medium large veins that are pinnatelynetted.

Color.—Lower surface is green, Peridot (Pantone 17-0336); Upper surfaceis slightly darker green, Black Forest (Pantone 19-0315).

Glands.—Two to four reniform glands mostly on lower leaf blade, butoccasionally on petiole. Leaf glands are average size for many peachvarieties, not distinctive for the variety, and on young full sizeleaves are Lettuce Green (Pantone 13-0324) in mid summer.

Petiole.—Ranges 10 to 11 mm) length; 2 mm diameter. Lettuce Green(Pantone 13-0324) in mid summer. Two longitudinal grooves on the ventralside.

Stipules.—Medium in length (8 to 10 mm), 2 per node, and abscising(deciduous) just before leaf obtains full size on summer growth, bothcommon to most peach varieties.

Arrangement.—Alternate.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to north central Florida winters. Nodamage observed in winter following a minimum of 16F.

Abundance.—Moderately high, most buds set fruit in absence of springfrosts.

Size.—Medium, average 3.5 mm length in late autumn.

Form.—Plump, conic, and free in late summer, elongating by winter. Shapeis obtuse.

Surface.—Pubescent scales.

Color.—Brown, Bitter Chocolate (Pantone 19-1317) in late autumn.

Flowers:

Blossom period.—With ‘Flordaprince’ peach — average January 20-25 atImmokalee, occurring over a 7 to 10 day period, dependant on ambienttemperatures.

Aroma.—Fragrance is slight to none.

Type.—Showy, location and seasonally variable size, but within the rangeof commercial varieties. Average flower diameter 32 mm. Average petallength 16 mm; width, 11 mm. Petals are obovate and edges vary fromsmooth to slightly undulate.

Color.—Petals are Peach Melba (Pantone 14-1418) upon opening, fading atthe outer edges before abscising, and within the range of standardvarieties.

Flower parts.—Pistil shape and color are within the range of standardcommercial varieties. Pistils are usually 1 per flower and pubescent.Pistils length (from tip of stigma to base of the ovary) is 13 mm andcolor is pale green, Pale Star (Pantone 12-0626). There are 5 sepals and5 petals. Sepals are pubescent and petals glabrous. Flower pedicel is 2to 3 mm length, not distinguishing for the variety.

Stamens.—Number varies from 27 to 40. Length is 8 to 11 mm.

Anthers.—Orange, Persimmon Orange (Pantone 16-1356) at flower opening,regular size.

Pollen.—Abundant and yellow, Cornsilk (Pantone 13-0932).

Calyx cup.—Medium (5 mm diameter and 6 mm depth) as compared tocommercial varieties.

Fertility.—Self fertile and no cross pollination is required.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Tree ripe, April 25, 2003 at Gainesville.

Date of first picking.—April 22, 2003 at Gainesville.

Date of last picking.—May 3, 2003 at Gainesville.

Size.—Uniform, medium (medium-large size for early season maturity at110 to 130 g). Varies with number of fruit per tree, soil type, climaticconditions and cultural practices. Average equatorial diameter. — 2⅜inches (61 mm). Average polar length (stem to distal end). — 2¼ inches(56 mm).

Pedicel.—Length is 7 to 9 mm; Width is 3 to 4 mm. Color is light green,Dried Moss (Pantone 14-0626). Pedicel is enlarged at point of fruitattachment.

Longitudinal section form.—Round to slightly squat.

Transverse section through diameter.—Round.

Suture.—Inconspicuous in form and color.

Ventral surface.—Usually rounded.

Base.—Slightly retuse.

Apex.—Usually rounded to slight obtuse.

Crater at pedicel attachment.—Flaring circular, but elongated in thesuture plane. Stem depressing on base of fruit. Depth is 10 mm; Breadthis 22 mm at top and 3 to 4 mm at pedicel attachment.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium in comparison to commercial peach varieties.

Texture.—Medium in comparison to commercial peach varieties.

Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.

Color.—Bright red, Mandarine Red (Pantone 17-1562) with darker redstripes, Ginger (Pantone 17-1444) over 50 to 60% of skin surface atharvest. Ground color deep yellow, Radiant Yellow (Pantone 15-1058).Fruit exposed to sunlight have a higher degree of enhanced red skin.

Tendency to crack.—None observed.

Taste.—No astringency observed.

Pubescence.—Short and medium soft.

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly within each fruit.

Texture.—Firm, fine, juicy, and non-melting when fully ripe.

Fibers.—Very fine, small, tender and abundant throughout the flesh.

Aroma.—Moderate and in the middle range of commercial peach varieties.

Eating quality.—Good, sweet, slightly acid. Fruit averaged 11 brix whendescribed. Titratable acidity was 0.60 as % malic acid and penetrometerfirmness was 1.4 kg as measured with a standard 8 mm tip at harvest. Noover-ripe off-flavors noted.

Juice.—Abundant.

Color.—Deep yellow, Sunset Gold (Pantone 13-0940). Fruit exposed to fullsunlight often have anthocyanin in the fruit of the outer half of theflesh orange-red, Flamingo (Pantone 16-1450) There is no red at the pit.

Browning by oxidation.—Slight on tree ripe fruit beginning to soften.

Amygdalin.—Undetected.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone, adhering to flesh even at softening.

Size.—Medium small; average length is 30 mm, average width at theequator perpendicular (dorsal to ventral side) to the suture is 22 mm,average width at the equator across (facing) the suture is 17 mm.Average pit wall thickness at the equator perpendicular to the suture is4 to 5 mm.

Color.—Light brown, Buckskin (Pantone 16-1342) when freshly exposed.

Form.—Elliptic shape with an acute base and acuminate apex.

Sides.—Near equal.

Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward the ventral edge from apex to base.Pitted from the center toward the base and apex.

Ridges.—Almost nonexistent, even on the suture side.

Tendency to split.—None observed.

Kernel.—Oval shape, bitter (amygdalin is abundant) and viable, but lowgermination without embryo culture. Average width, 8 mm; Average length14 mm. Color Cream, Ivory (Pantone 11-0907) on mature fruit when firstremoved from stone of freshly harvest fruit.

Use: Fresh; dessert. Market — local and long distance.

Shipping and keeping quality: Good, fruit hold firm in cold storage for2 weeks at 38 to 42 F without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciableloss of eating quality. Picking and packing gave minimum bruising andscarring of fruit.

Resistance to disease: High resistance to bacterial spot incited byXanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (E. F. Smith) Dye. Susceptible to leafrust incited by Tranzschelia discolor (Fuckel) Tranzschel & Litvinov.Resistance to other fruit and tree diseases are within the range forcommercial cultivars. No unusual resistance or susceptibility to insectsand diseases noted.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct peach tree as illustrated and described,characterized by a low chilling requirement, and bearing earlymid-season fruit having firm, yellow and non-melting flesh of higheating quality, and an attractive, 50% red over deep yellow ground coloron skin of fruit ripening in late April with ‘Flordaprince’ at Immokaleeand Gainesville, Fla.